The Italian Army and the First World War (Armies of the Great War) Illustrated Edition

GReat book! Delves into the.politics in Italy before the war and on into the war. This book is very well written and will keep you interested throughout.

What a well written text. Clear information and well organised

Italy-WW I, 1915-1918, talk about a country and a people totally ill prepared for the worst confrontation in history up to that time.The first problem was culture, the next were basically an inept high command, outdated strategy, wasteful meaningless attacks in one of the most inhospitable places in the world, the Alps located between Italy and it's arch enemy, Austria. This author points out the Italian infantry as brave as any of the combatants, who's worst enemy was his own command structure. Executions of those deemed cowardly or just set up as an example, were higher than any other army. The author does a wonderful job in bringing forward the Italian experience during WW I, something that has been relegated by history to the back pages. The slaughter in this formidable, unforgiving mountain terrain was one of the bloodiest campaigns of WW I. Casualties exceeded the Western Front caused by frostbite, falls from heights, shrapnel caused not only by shell fire but rock splinters. For those of who are unfamiliar with the history of Italy during WW I, I highly recommend this book, well written and very informative.

Well layed out in a logical sequence. Could use more/better maps.

I struggled through this book. Though it provided a vast amount of researched information regarding Italian political cultural, and economic factors, it basically glossed over the Italian Army. I give the author full credit for his masterful research, the likes of which included a section on the caloric intake of the average Italian during different years during the war, but he did not provide any useful information regarding tactics, equipment, or indeed any substantive information concerning the major battles on the Italian Front.In addition, in the early portions of the book, he unfortunately refers to the scarcity of the most modern Italian weapon, the 1891 "Wetterli". In actuality, the "Vetterli", not the "Wetterli" rifle was an obsolete weapon pressed into service because of the lack of the most modern Italian rifle, the 1891 "Carcano". This is just carelessness and takes away from the otherwise remarkable efforts taken to research this book. However, I have often found that historians do not take great pains to adequately research weapons and equipment, despite the importance of such things.The maps in this book, such as they were, add nothing to the understanding of the battles. The important battles of Caporetto and Vittorio Venito are given little detailed attention nor are any other battles covered in any useful respect.I cannot recommend this book to any serious Military History buff, especially if that buff is interested in the weapons, equipment and tactics of the combattants, the magnificent research into other areas of the Italian participation in the First World War not withstanding.

One of the best military books I have ever read. I echo the praise from the other reviewers. A must read of a true student of the Great War.

A summary of the review on StrategyPage.Com:'Prof. Gooch opens his contribution to the new Cambridge series “Armies of the Great War” with a short, concise review of the early history of the Italian Royal Army, including its prewar relations with its allies Germany and Austria-Hungary and its wartime experiences against the Turks in 1911-1912. He then explains Italian political and military activities during the “July Crisis,” its initial neutrality, and commitment to the Allied camp in early 1915, giving us a look at the poor state of the army as it went to war. Each of the war years, 1915-1918, is covered in a single chapter, which examines the growth of the army, gradual improvements in equipment, organization, tactics, and operations, followed by a chapter on the immediate postwar period, including occupation missions, demobilization, and reorganization. A great many individuals are profiled, chiefs-of-the-general staff Cardona and Diaz, politicians, generals, and staff officers (some of whom will pop up again in a later war). Gooch’s thesis, well documented and hard to argue with, is that the Italian Army was very unprepared for a major war but gradually developed into a capable fighting force, though that this achievement has been largely overlooked in most treatments of the war. A good read for anyone interested in the Great War, and particularly the “forgotten” theatres, especially for students of the Italian Army. 'For the full review, see StrategyPage.Com

Excellent study of the Italian Army in WWI and perhaps an enlightening one for those little familiar with Italy's combat performance. Fighting in some of the most rugged conditions imaginable in the north, facing the towering, snow covered landscape of the Dolomites, these soldiers fought the enemy with courage and determination. Reinforced by German troops and with superior commanders such as a young Erwin Rommel leading them, the Austrians advanced with major breakthroughs that almost reached Venice. However, those successes and Italian retreats do not justify the unfair reputation for failure these brave men supposedly earned during the Great War. In this well written book, based on fresh archival research, offers new insights into the Italian Army, the ordinary soldier, the elite Alpine troops, and the poor leadership that caused their near defeat. A fascinating and satisfying volume that is essential reading for anyone wishing to broaden their understanding of the Great War, the Allies, and this unique theater of war.